Data from Homelessness Australia show there are 5200 homeless people in regional Victoria including 400 in the Bendigo region.
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The data shows that one in five people without a home in Victoria are based in regional and rural electorates.
Homelessness Australia chair Jenny Smith said it highlighted hidden homelessness exists beyond Victoria's metropolitan suburbs.
"There is a longstanding misconception that homelessness is an urban issue, but the data shows that there are people without a home and a huge need for social housing in our regional and rural electorates.
"Thousands of people in regional and rural electorates are already without a home or at risk of homelessness and can't access social housing.
"With the significant increase in unemployment because of the COVID19 pandemic, and decrease in income support coming in September, we are facing a perfect storm that needs immediate action.
"The lack of housing that people can afford is the biggest contributor to homelessness across Australia and Victoria is no exception to this."
Haven Home Safe marketing director Sue Masters said in Bendigo between 30 and 50 people slept rough each night.
"Generally, homelessness in regional areas has always been hidden," she said. "People can go up bush, couch surf or sleep in cars. It's not as obvious or as visible as it once was.
"There's a huge gap in what we have in social housing and what we need to have in order to meet the needs for people on low incomes."
Ms Masters said an extension of state government funding enabling homeless people to stay in hotels would help in the short term.
"It gives us a sense of certainty (until April) but (it isn't) a permanent housing solution," she said.
"There are nearly 120,000 homeless (across Australia) every night of week. That's not good enough in a first world country.
"We're advocating collectively that the way to restart the economy is to invest in social housing as infrastructure. It would invests in the building industry and trades...and house people.
"That could be a permanent solution to house people and stimulate the economy.
"We are hoping the federal government will set aside significant funds and acknowledge that, as a country, we need more social housing and we need to build it fast."